Chapter Eight
“Good hunting,” Tanner said to the werewolf. Romy had nothing to add, since she was still at the wait this is all real? stage.
They walked out, Tanner keeping an arm around her. “You did great, angel.”
“First vampires and now werewolves? I’m two seconds away from losing my shit.”
“But you look amazing. I parked up over by the big oak,” he said, pointing.
“I have no idea where my ride parked… assuming he’s still here.” The huge meadow that served as the parking lot was mostly empty, with only scattered cars left, aside from the police and fire vehicles.
“You don’t think I’m going to leave you here. I’ll drive you home, Romy.”
“Because you’re a Southern gentleman?”
“Call it whatever you want, but you’re getting home safe.”
“Hey, there’s Diamond!” Romy said, elated to see her friend sitting on the hood of a shiny silver car. “But she’s with some random dudes. Could they be… lurkers?” Diamond was flanked by three men Romy had never seen before. Two were Black and one was white.
“They’re my friends,” Tanner said. “All army, all human.”
“Oh, good. Why are they staring at us?”
“Are we covered in blood?”
“Mm, yeah. That’s going to be awkward to explain,” she muttered as they reached the group.
“Bro, is that blood?” the white guy asked Tanner.
“Let’s not talk about it right now,” Tanner replied.
The taller Black man asked, “Did you get in a fight and not invite us?”
“It was over so fast I didn’t want to bother you.”
“Is it fake blood? We didn’t get any fake blood dumped on us,” said Diamond, looking Romy over with a raised eyebrow.
“You got lucky, especially since you didn’t get lost after your boyfriend shoved you down a hill,” Romy replied. “Did you find the nightclub?”
“Yeah, but it was sort of boring. And then the cops showed up and they made everyone leave and they weren’t going to refund our admission, but then that almost started a riot, and you better believe we all got our money back now. By the way, here’s your phone. I grabbed it when I got mine.”
“Oh, bless you forever.”
“And there’s Brad,” Diamond added, pointing. “He was going to leave without you. I made him stay.”
Romy advanced on Brad. “Hey!” she snapped, annoyed as hell that he hadn’t even acknowledged her.
Brad was sitting in his car, the door open. He still wore his devil horns, and he was staring at his phone’s screen. “Where were you? I thought you were dead.”
Romy glared at him. “Well, considering you left me for dead.”
“I did not,” Brad said. “You’re crazy, Romy. Don’t make a big scene and act like a victim. Get in the car and let’s go home.”
She rolled her eyes. “Can I have everyone’s attention, please?” she asked loudly.
Everyone fell quiet and looked at her.
She waved to them all. “Thanks for being here, because you’re all my official witnesses that I’m dumping this asshole.” She pointed to Brad.
Diamond put her hands above her head and called out, “Amen!”
Tanner’s friends all nodded, like they saw that coming.
Tanner smiled.
Brad said, “You can’t do that.”
“I literally just did.” Romy laughed, feeling better already.
“You’re my girlfriend!” He started to get up from the driver’s seat, as if to come get her.
“Weren’t you paying attention? I’m your ex-girlfriend.”
“You’re a bitch.”
“Don’t call her that.” Tanner stepped forward, his expression icy. All three of Tanner’s friends moved at the same time Tanner did, and Brad gave a little shriek as the four of them converged toward him. He pulled his door shut and frantically started the car.
Tanner glared at Brad while he pulled forward and then drove off, tires spinning in the dusty ground of the makeshift parking lot.
“Good riddance.” Diamond sighed, adding, “Though that was our ride. Trick or treat, and we got tricked.”
“We’re your ride now,” one of Tanner’s friends told her. “Which could be a treat?” he added hopefully.
Diamond tossed her head. “What gear you think I’m in?” she retorted, though there was definitely interest there. She looked over to Romy. “You ready to go, girl?”
Romy took a deep breath. “Mmmm, Tanner offered to drive me home.”
“You’re Tanner?” Diamond asked, narrowing her eyes at him. “Your boys have been talking about you.”
“Tanner Salem. Pleasure to meet you, Miss…”
“Diamond Green,” she said, holding up her camera to take Tanner’s picture. “Smile.”
Tanner had a really nice smile.
“She got our mug shots too,” the white guy said. “And both our cars and license plates. She’s very thorough.”
Romy pulled her friend aside and asked, “You don’t mind that I made you wait all this time?”
“Girl. If you’re going home with that fine specimen, I have no objection. But you are going to dish me all the details later, ’cause he looks like he knows how to make a woman very happy.”
“Maybe he’ll just want to go home and sleep.”
“Two bucks says neither of you are sleeping tonight. Okay, go with my blessing. Use protection, hydrate, don’t let him take video. All the usuals.”
“Thanks, D.”
“Save it, girl. Call me tomorrow.” Diamond got into the silver car along with the other guys.
Tanner’s car was a decade old, and probably blue, though it was hard to tell under the night sky, and with all the emergency vehicles’ flashing lights.
Tanner opened the passenger door for her. “I take it your friend isn’t going to call the cops on me?”
“She’s very excited on my behalf.”
“Me too.”